Mineral concentrator



se t. e, 1938.

R. SMITH MINERAL CONCENTRATOR Filed Oct. 24, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 /NVENTO.

190552 T 5M1 TH BY 3 Sept. 6, 1938. R.'SMITH 7 2,129,244

" MINERAL CONCENTRATOR File d Oct. 24, 1936 s Sheets-Sheet s 7/1 u illlllllllllllllllllllll TOQ Ross SMITH BY Patented Sept. 6, 1938 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,129,244 MINERAL CONCENTRATOB Robert Smith, Aio, Am, assienor to Robert s. Davis, Rowood, Ariz.

Application October 24, 1936, Serial No. 107,427 g I 9 Claims." (01. 209-466) This invention relates generally to the art of H in the general form of a cone frustum, the handling ore bearing materialsfto recover the upper edge of which is reinforced by an L-shaped values therein by utili z i'rig jthe dry method of ring l2. Yieldingly or resiliently supported from separation. the casing and within the latter is a concentrat- An object of the invention is to provide a mining unit C. Above the concentrating unit is a eral concentrator which is structurally characterdelivery hopper H which is circular in plan and ized in a manner to enable all small fine values is rigidly supported from the casing by a plurality as well as the coarser values to be profitably of struts l3 disposed at circumferentially spaced recovered on a mass tonnage or yardage basis by intervals. The hopper H is formed by a shallow 1 an economical expenditure of power. inverted conical delivery table l3a on which the Another object of the invention is to provide ore bearing material in a dry and ground or a concentrator embodying primary and secondpulverized state is delivered so as to gravitate ary concentrating compartments to which the therefrom through an axially disposed discharge material is successively delivered and subjected opening H into the concentrating unit.

1| both to mechanical agitation and the separating The concentrating unit C comprises a circular 18 action of controlled streams of air in such manhead I5 having a relatively large central opening ner as. to insure the maximum recovery of all Hi, the wall of which flares upwardly and is values, notwithstanding the fineness thereof. spanned by a relatively fine screen I! preferably A further object of this invention is to provide of from 30 t 200 mesh, which, i practice, an

a mineral concentrator wherein the concentratb supported and protected on opposite sides-by 20 118 n to W h the Ore r n m r l is heavier screens, to provide a reticulated table delivered. in gl'ollnd pulverized State for onto which the ore bearing material is deposited action therein by air, is mounted for agitation around a d flect r u; of conical form supported about a vertical axis in a new and novel manner axially in the Opening by a diametrically to greatly facilitate the separation process in tending spider |9 Secured at z to a depend 25 conjunction with the action of air upon the mamg collar 2| Surrounding the Opening It is terial, all to the end of effecting maximum recovto be noted that the deflector is threadedly ery or values mounted in the hub of the spider I! so as to be with these and other obJects m View the vertically adjustable to vary the size of the dis- $232232reassessme t that; to or 3 as set forth in the following specification and 2:2332; g g fi f' to depend thera particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 8 d1 fla t b m bod n In the accompanying drawings 18 an upwar y mug u at y having open ends and composed of sections 23 Figure 1 is a view showing partly in side elevad t th b b It 25 m h l 35 tion and partly in vertical central section, the and f' oge er y 0 s w c mineral concentrator embodying this invention; a solid partition 26 between the sections to divi c Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view on a body transversely intermediate its ends mm reduced scale, taken on the line 22 of Figure 1, chambers 27 and The end z 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows; is 2 ii fi g p a e Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on m the P P re a We Y S 0w cup the line 3-4 of Figure 2 and looking in the The w e or resilient support of the @011- direction of th arr centrating unit C as above generally character- Figure 4 is a plan view of the concentrating ized structurally is P d y a pl r y of 5 unit; cables 30, four in number in the present in- Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional Stance. and anchored to the head 8!; q l y view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4; spaced points circumferentially to extend ra- Flgure 6 is a detail sectional view taken on d a ly O p l y 3 SWiVeled at 32 t0 15118 0881118 the line 6-6 of Figure 1; II. From the pulleys the cables extend down- Figure 7 is a perspective view of an adjustable wardly for connection to draw bars 33 slidably 50 control member for the secondary concentrating mounted in lugs 34 on the casing ll. Springs 35 compartment. are confined between the lugs 34 and nuts 36 7 Referring specifically to the drawings, this inthreadedon the bars for co-action therewith in vention in its present embodiment comprises a maintaining the cables under suflicient tension suitable base i0 vertically supporting a casing to yieldingly support the head in a central position against lateral displacement relative to the hopper H.

At its lower end the concentrating unit is mounted on the base III for agitation by the following mechanism. J ournaled vertically in bearings 81-31 is a vertical shaft 88 having flxed thereto a pulley 28, which, through belt and pulley connections 48, 4| and 42 from the shaft of a blower 43,'isadapted to be driven. a suitable friction disk clutch F being also provided to control the operation and speed. Mounted in a radial recess 44 of the pulley. is ablock 45 from which projects vertically a stud 48 having on its upper end a ball 41 confined between antifriction bearings 48-48 mounted in a depending tubular extension 49 of the cup 28, so as to provide a universal connection between the lower end of the concentrating unit and the driving mechanism. The block 45 can be adjusted to vary the eccentricity of the stud with respect to the shaft 38 so as to correspondingly vary the magnitude of the continuous tilting motion in the circular path about a vertical axis imparted to the unit in accordance with the requirements oi. the material being concentrated.

Cap screws 58 threaded into the pulley 89 and passing through slots 5i in the block 45 enable the stud to be rigidly secured in any desired position of eccentric adjustment. I

The blower 43 and a power plant 52 for driving same are supported on the base l0; and air from the blower is adapted to be delivered through a lateral inlet48a to the upper chamber 21 so as to discharge upwardly therefrom through the screen l'l into an upper and primary concentrating compartment P provided by the head l5 above the screen, and in which concentration is effected in two stages. Part of the air is adapted to flow'downwardly through a pipe 53 into the chamber 54 formed by the cup 29 below a relatively fine screen 55 through which the air is then forced into the chamber 28 which constitutes a lower and secondary concentrating compartment S. The pipe 53 is supported axially in the body 22 by being secured at its upper end to the partition 26 in surrounding relation to a central opening 56 therethrough, and by being secured at its lower end to the screen 55 in surrounding relation to an opening 51 therethrough, all as clearly shown in Figure 1.

Mounted in the pipe 58 is a manually operable valve 58 by which the flow of air to the concentrating compartment S is controlled.

The section 24 of the body 22 is provided with a lateral outlet 59 for the discharge of air, sand and dust particles from the concentrator. A flexible connection 60 between the inlet 43a and the blower 4! permits unrestricted agitation of the blower; and flexible rings BI and 82 between the casing ii and unit C, and between the flexible discharge pipe 68 and the casing respectively, co-act with the casing and with a hood 64 enclosing the blower and power plant, to protect all mechanism from dust and grit particles.

Part of that air flowing upwardly in the chamber 21 passes through V-shaped recesses 65 formed in the walls of the opening it immediately below the screen II. This air can pass through a vertical annular screen 88 seating in a. groove 81 and spanning the recesses. From the screen the air discharges into an annular pocket 68 covered by a relatively coarse screen 88 through which the air flnally discharges beneath the hopper around the head. Concentrates colwith a removable ring "18 having its upper edge recessed various depths as indicated'at I4, 15 and 18 in Figure 7. By circumferentially adjusting the ring to dispose one portion or another thereof to the outlet59, lips of diflerent heights will be provided to increase or decrease the portion of concentrates being worked. It is to be noted that the lower edge of the ring 13 is provided with openings II in order to provide communication between the compartment S and the outlet II in all positions of adjustment of the ring.

Another part of the air flowing upwardly in the chamber 21 passes through a series of radial ducts 18 in the head i5 communicating at their inner ends with the opening I6 below the screen I], and spanned at their outer ends by an annular screen 19 of a construction and mesh similar to that of the screen l1 and also constituting a reticulated table. The outer edge of this screen seats in a groove 88 in the head; and its inner edge is confined against displacement by a removable wear ring 8! which, together with a second wear ring 82 forms a riflie 83 above the pocket 88 to trap values so that such flne values and black sand can gravitate into the tubes 69.

Removable wear rings 84 and 85 form a flnal riflie 86 above the outer marginal portion of the screen 19 to prevent loss of values which are freed from gangue material after passing over the riiile 83. Openings 81 and 88 closed by plugs 89 and 90, respectively, are provided at suitable locations for cleanup purposes. Attached to the hopper H and extending therebeneath at a suitable distance above the head I5 is a disk SI of flexible sheet material, such as cotton or woolen fabric which functions to check or retard flecky and light ore particles in order to permit such particles by a change of position to one edgewise of the air current, to gravitate to a lower lever and be recovered.

The operation oftthe invention is as follows:

Let it be assumed that the blower 43 is in operation to supply air to the concentrating unit C and that the latter is being agitated. Ore bearing material in a dry and pulverized or ground state is deposited in the hopper H and gravitates therefrom onto the screen l1 around the deflector l8. Due to the character of the agitating or tilting motion of the concentrating unit about a vertical axis which is axially related to both concentrating compartments P and S, the deposited material travels over and above the screen il in a slow circular motion outwardly from the center of the compartment P, during which time the material is subjected to the separating action of the upwardly moving air current traversing the screen H. The material is,

, as a result of this combined mechanical and fluid sand and all heavier particles, are permitted to seek the. lowest levels, the dust being slightly aiaaau.

sifting into the pocket 68. These streams of air pass through the recesses 65 and .the vertical screen 66, which latter functions to prevent the concentrates from gravitating into the chamber 21.

Any material containing values which passes the .riille 83 continues its outwardly and upwardly circular motion over the screen I! and is subjected to further concentrating and milling action by the upwardly moving air streams traversing the ducts 18, the concentrates being checked by the rifiie 86, and clean-up being efl'ected through the opening 81 upon removal of the plug 89. a

The concentrates deposited in the pocket 68 gravitate through the tubes 89 in accordance with the adjustment of the respective valves I0 and enter the concentrating compartment S on the screen 55. In this compartment, the concentrates are subjected to a more violent mechanical agitation by the eccentric driving mechanism as the greatest tilting or swinging motion of the unit in a circular path about a vertical axis is present at the universal operative connection between the driving mechanism and the concentrating unit below the compartment S. In addition to this violent mechanical agitation the concentrates are subjected to the action of the upwardly moving air blast from beneath the screen 55, all to the end that any fine values still adhering to the black sand or to lighter or heavier particles will be freed therefrom.

It is to be noted that the ring II which forms the wall of the compartment S is in the form of. a cone frustum so that the top of the compartment is smaller in area than the bottom at which the concentrates enter the compartment. This form of the compartment tends to prevent the values and the particles containing values from ascending. Gangue particles which spill over the ring flow by gravity from the concentrator through the flexible pipe 63. High grade concentrates can be removed at intervals through the outlet 1i when the valve 12 is opened, and it will be manifest that by virtue of the aforesaid structure and mode of operation frequent delays and cleanups are eliminated, and a higher grade concentrate obtained with a minimum loss in recovery.

I c aim:

1. A mineral concentrator having a concentrating head provided with an axial air passage therethrough and an annular pocket for concentrates, surrcunding said passage; a reticulated bottom spanning said passage and onto which ore bearing material is adapted to be deposited at a central location; means for agitating the head to effect motion of the material outwardly, towards said pocket; means for subjecting'material to an air blast through said passage so as to aid the agitating means in separating gangue from the material, an annular riiiie correlated with said pocket to check upward movement of concentrates from the pocket; and means providing communication between the air passage and pocket below said reticulated bottom for the admission of air blasts from the passage in order to prevent fine particles of gangue from sifting into said pocket.

2. A mineral concentrator having a concentrating head provided with an axial air passage therethrough and an-annular pocket for concentrates surrounding said passage; a reticulated bottom spanning said passage and onto which ore bearing material is adapted to be deposited at a central location: means for agitating the head to effect motion of the material outwardly towards said pockemmeans for. subiectingthe materialto an air blast through said passage so as to aid the agitating means in separating gangue from the material; an annular ritiie correlated with said pocket to check upward movement of concentrates from the pocket; relatively coarse reticulated material spanning said pocket and through which the concentrates can gravitate into the pocket; means providing communication between the air passage and pocket below said reticulated bottom for the admission of air blasts from the passage in order to prevent fine particles of gangue from sifting into said pocket, the head having ducts the inner ends of which open to said air passage,

and.the outer ends of which open upwardly at centrating unit having upper and lower concentrating compartments; means defining reticulated bottoms for the respective compartments; means from which ore bearing material is adapted to discharge onto the central portion of said bottom for the upper compartment; means for agitating said unit by continuously tilting same in a circular path about a vertical axis to cause material deposited on said one of the bottoms to travel in a circular path outwardly thereof; means for directing air blasts through the bottoms to coact with the agitation of the unit in removing gangue from the material as it traverses said one of the bottoms; means correlated with said one of the bottoms, into which concentrates from the material are caused to be deposited; and means for conducting such concentrates to the bottom of the lower concentrating compartment for higher concentration by the combined mechanical agitation and action of the air blast.

4. A mineral concentrator comprising a concentrating unit having upper and lower concentrating compartments; means defining reticulated bottoms for the respective compartments; means from which ore bearing material is adapted to discharge onto the central portion of said bottom for the upper compartment; means for agitating said unit by continuously tilting same in a circular path about a vertical axis to cause material deposited on said one of the bottoms to travel in a circular path outwardly thereof; means for directing air blasts through the bottoms to co-act with the agitation of the unit in removing gangue from the material as it traverses said one of the bottoms; means correlated with said one of the bottoms, into which concentrates from the material are caused to be deposited; means for conducting saidconcentrates to the bottom of the tating said unit from the lower portion thereof by continuously tiltingsame in a circular path about a vertical axis'to cause material deposited: on said one of the bottoms to travel in a circu-f lower concentrating compartment for higher concentration by the combined mechanical agitation and action of the air blast; valved means for regulating the flow of concentrates to the lower con-- centratingcompartment; and valved means for regulating the flow of air to the concentrates being worked in -the, lower'concentrating compartment.

'5. A mineral concentrator comprising a concentratingunit having upper and lower concentrating compartments; means deflningreticulated bottoms {for the respective compartments; :means from, whichore bearing material is adapt I ed to discharge onto the central portion of said bottom forthe upper compartment; means for .yieldingly, supporting the upper portion of said unitagainst lateral displacement; means for agl lar path outwardly thereof; means for directing air blasts through the bottoms to co act with theagitation of the unit in removing gangue from the material as it traverses said one oi the bottoms: means correlated with said one of the bottoms into which concentratesfrom the material are.

caused to be deposited; and means for conducting such concentrates onto said bottom of the lower concentrating compartment for higher concentration by the action of the air blast and the more violent agitation of the'unit at the lower portion thereof.

6. A mineral concentrator of the character embodied in claim 5, wherein said agitating means includes an eccentric driving member; and a universal connection between said member and unit.

7. A mineral concentrator of the character embodied in claim 5, including an outlet in said lower compartment for the removal of high grade concentrates; and a valve controlling the outlet. I

" 8. A mineral concentrator comprising a concentrating unit having superposed concentrating compartments; means for delivering on bearingmateriat to the upper compartment; means .for

conducting, concentrates from the upper compartment to the.- lower compartment by gravity following "initial concentration I, of the material fin the upper compartment; means. forv agitating the unit eflecting continuous tilting. thereof :in avcircular path about a vertical axis so 'as to cause-the material to traverse the respective compartments; and means'forsubjecting the material to the action of air;- blasts'as the material traverses the compartments. whereby to remove gangue from the material.

9. A mineral concentrator comprising a concentrating unit having superposed concentrating compartments; means, for delivering ore bearing -materia1to-the upper. compartment; means for conducting concentratesrrom theupper compartment to the lower: compartment by gravity 01- lowing initial concentration oi the material in the uppercompartment; means'for agitating the unit by effecting continuous tilting thereof in a circu- 'ROBE'RT SMI'I'H. 

